An anti-red flag law

By Steve Fair okgop@aol.com May 19, 2020

Before the Oklahoma Legislature adjourned on Friday, May 15, they passed Senate Bill 1081, an anti "Red Flag" bill.

Authored by Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Tulsa, and Rep. Jay Steagall, R-Yukon, the bill was signed into law by Gov. Kevin Stitt on Saturday. It prevents Oklahoma cities and towns from enacting policies that would allow a court or other entity to restrict gun access to people they deem to be an imminent danger. The bill passed the House 77-14 and the Senate 34-9. "This bill would stop any action from the federal government or even from local or state authorities that would infringe on the Second Amendment rights of our citizens," Steagall said. The bill is said to be the first of its type in the nation. Critics of the bill said it was unnecessary because Oklahoma municipalities are already prevented from engaging in gun control.

Two thoughts:

First, gun control is a fundamental plank in the Democrat platform. Their platform states: "We recognize that the individual right to bear arms is an important part of the American tradition, and we will preserve Americans' Second Amendment right to own and use firearms. We believe that the right to own firearms is subject to reasonable regulation." Their "reasonable regulation" includes banning of assault rifles and more background checks. So much for not infringing. .....


(Another report can be found HERE, from Gunpowder Magazine.)

It is time other states took similar action. The lack of due process and the very significant risks of action being taken purely from an accusation (gossip) provided by a malevolent neighbor for example, makes a mockery of the bed rock legal requirement - "innocent until proven guilty". Any tool like this is beyond dangerous, when a judge can enact a court order 'ex parte' - only hearing one side of the story and stripping an individual of fundamental constitutional rights for the duration of such order.

smalline

Back to Top